Commissioners approve amended Land Use Code

Tuesday

Dec 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM

An amendment to the Otero County Land Use Code to include current floodplain management regulations adopted in 2011 by the State of Colorado highlighted the regularly scheduled meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners early Monday afternoon.

By Joe Zembajzemba@ljtdmail.com

An amendment to the Otero County Land Use Code to include current floodplain management regulations adopted in 2011 by the State of Colorado highlighted the regularly scheduled meeting of the Otero County Board of Commissioners early Monday afternoon.
Otero County Public Works Director Lex Nichols presented the board with a 38-page proposed amended version of the current land use code for adoption, which upon approval, ensures that Otero County remains in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and remains eligible for grant funding through the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The purpose of the amendment was to adopt the current flood plains standards required by the state.
While changes to the code were adopted by the State of Colorado in 2011, governing bodies were allowed a three-year transitional period to adopt an amended land use code, which commissioners approved 3-0.
The amendment alters a preexisting land use code adopted in October 2009.
Significant changes include the addition of a Floodplain Administrator, which will be filled locally by Nichols.
Furthermore, the amendment includes a designation of boundaries of the flood plain district. However, while the descriptions have changed, local boundaries have not.
Also, changes concerning Regulatory Floodway Not Designated was altered significantly in that the water surface elevation of the base flood cannot increase more than one-half foot, whereas the existing land use code allowed for an increase on one foot.
Lastly, new regulations include standards for Critical Facilities, or structure, that if flooded may result in significant hazards to public health and safety or interrupt essential services and operations for the community. Facilities include places such as police stations, nursing homes, and schools.
Structures identified as Critical Facilities must now either be located outside of designated Special Flood Hazard areas or the elevation of the lowest floor must be at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation.
Individuals with questions concerning the newly adopted Otero County Land Use Code may call Nichols at the Otero County Department of Public Works, 383-3035.
Also on the agenda, commissioners approved two subdivision requests for Guy Watters of 73.34 acres into three separate tracts and John Canaday Jr. for subdivision of 7.22 acres.
Otero County Assessor asked commissioners to approve a refund for property taxes paid by Arkansas Valley Hospice in 2011 and 2012 as the property was exempted from property tax by the Division of Property Taxation as of Jan. 1, 2011.
Approved by commissioners was the refund of $1,241.09 for taxation in 2011 and $1,271.62 in 2012. A 2014 Ambulance Service Permit was approved for five La Junta Rural Fire District ambulances, as was the appointment of several individuals to varying boards including, Stephanie Amarillas - Southeast Region All Hazards Board, Raymundo Rivera - Otero County Housing Authority, and Eva Leyva - Otero County Housing Authority.
Four line item transfer requests were approved by the commissioners to allow for overspending and unexpected expenditures in varying areas.
In closing, those present were reminded that all Otero County offices and landfills will be closed at 3 p.m. (2:30 for landfills) today in observance of Christmas Eve and all day Wednesday in observance of Christmas Day.